I love to travel, mainly to Africa where I was born, I enjoy reading and playing bridge. I go for rambles in the countryside. I collect stamps and go to T'ai Chi classes. I love my two cats and my garden birds. I adore the African wildlife and try to help Conservation groups.
Cows in sea spark rescue effort !
The cows swapped their usual habitat for the beach at Dornoch. Pregnant cows cooling off in the sea have sparked a major rescue operation as a heatwave hit the Highlands. Up to 20 cows were spotted in the Dornoch Firth, in Easter Ross, resulting in 999 calls from concerned members of the public.
Coastguard crews from Portmahomack and Dornoch rushed to the scene, along with the Dornoch Inshore Lifeboat. But the local farmer assured the rescue services that the cows were "chilling out" because of the searing sunshine.
An Aberdeen Coastguard spokesman said: "We got calls about cows in the sea at Dornoch beach, in particular about one up to its neck in water with the tide coming in. "There was concern they might drown, particularly one that was in mud at the south side of the bridge. "We tasked the local coastguard teams, who train in that area, and they spoke to the farmer."
They were told that many of the cows were pregnant and that they often went into the water to cool down. "The one that appeared to be in difficulty was called in by the farmer," the spokesman said. "Once we established that they were not going to be in difficulty we stood the incident down. "It appears it has been going on for years but we have to respond to concerns raised by members of the public. "The worry was the farmer, himself, might get into difficulty, but everything was fine."
The incident happened as temperatures in the Highland hit record levels for 2008, including 24C for the Dornoch area.
BBC NEWS REPORT.
New white whale spotted !
By Alison Feeney-Hart - BBC News, Sydney.
A new white humpback has been sighted off Byron Bay on the east coast of Australia. The newcomer, which was filmed by a television news helicopter, has excited marine scientists who think it may be related to Migaloo - to date, the only known all-white humpback whale.
Migaloo is somewhat of a celebrity down under. Why? "Because as far as we know, he is globally unique," said Professor Peter Harrison from the Whale Research Centre, Southern Cross University. It now seems that Migaloo, (whose Aboriginal name means "white fellow") might have competition.
Although predominantly white, the new whale does have some black markings near its head and tail. So who is the newcomer? A white calf was spotted with a normal humpback mother in Byron Bay two years ago. Experts say the new whale could be the offspring of Migaloo but further tests need to be carried out.
A record number of humpbacks have been spotted off the Australian coast this year on their annual migration north to their breeding grounds. One thing scientists do agree on is that this second white whale has never been seen in these waters before.
BBC NEWS REPORT.
Dolphin call tells calf who's mum !
Bottlenose dolphins call to their newborns to ensure they can identify mum. Female bottlenose dolphins whistle ten times more often than usual after giving birth in order to help newborns recognise who is "mum".
The findings by a US team appear in the journal Marine Mammal Science. These "signature whistles" are unique to each animal, allowing them to be used for identification. Bottlenose dolphins are highly social; in their first weeks, calves encounter many adult females that they could potentially mistake for their mothers.
"The most obvious explanation for the increase in maternal signature whistle production is the need for the mother to be in contact with her calf," zoologist Dr Deborah Fripp from Dallas Zoo suggested. "However, the decrease in signature whistle production of [dolphin] mother Lotty after three weeks does not fit this idea, especially as calves actually wander further from their mothers as they get older."
Instead, Dr Fripp said a likely purpose of this whistling enables a process called imprinting, where the calf learns to recognise their mother. "Bottlenose dolphins can swim at birth and are highly social. In other species these traits are associated with imprinting. A calf can easily get separated from its mother and find itself among many other dolphins."
In some bird species, the critical period for imprinting is as short as a few hours. In some mammals, it is the first few weeks of life. Imprinting may also help stop females from stealing newborns off of other mothers. This behaviour has been reported before in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and newborn Lotus was stolen on day one, though subsequently returned.
"Theft incidents almost always occur in the first day of the calf's life. Perhaps this is because after a calf has imprinted on its mother, such theft is more difficult," Dr Fripp explained. Although dolphins can whistle at birth, they are not born with their unique signature whistle.
"Dolphin mothers do not teach their babies how to whistle, so the increase in whistle production at birth is not for this," Dr Fripp said. She added: "Calves' whistles are almost never similar to their mothers'. Interestingly, female calf whistles are more similar to those animals in their environment, which they are not interacting with, than to those of animals they know."
Dr Fripp investigated maternal whistle use in four captive dolphins at Kolmardens Djurpark in Kolmarden, Sweden. The females were named Nephele, Vicky, Delphi and Lotty. The four females each had their own calf. Unfortunately, all but the last calf born - Lotus, the son of Lotty - died within two weeks of life. "It is sad that the calves died. The infant mortality rate was high, but this year is not representative," said Dr Fripp. "Infant mortality rate in the wild is not known - if a calf is born and dies within a week it probably won't be recorded. In captivity it is."
As soon as Lotus was born, Vicky stole him and took him to the surface. Lotus remained with Vicky until day six when he was removed from the pool for a day of medical treatment. On his return, he was reclaimed by rightful mother Lotty. Dr Fripp added: "Unfortunately, with only one calf surviving to week three, and a calf with an unusual first week at that, the evidence to show a return to normal levels of maternal signature whistle production is not particularly strong. Future work is needed to examine this."
BBC NEWS REPORT.
Diary: Protecting mountain gorillas !
In July 2007, armed men entered the Democratic Republic of Congo's Virunga National Park and killed five critically endangered mountain gorillas at point-blank range, leaving the bodies where they fell.
Since September, rebel forces have controlled the area, threatening to kill any conservationists or gorilla rangers who attempted to enter the area.
Diddy and Innocent are long-serving rangers who have spent their working lives protecting the remaining gorillas in the war-torn region.
In this weekly diary, they describe life on conservation's frontline and the frustration of how recent events are hampering their efforts.
FRIDAY 18 JULY - FATAL AMBUSH
A ranger looks at the bullet that nearly claimed his life
As you may have seen in the news, a group of rangers from Virunga National Park and their wives were attacked last week as they travelled on a WWF truck between the Ranger Post at Lulimbi and the town of Ishasha, on the Uganda/Congo border.
The group left the patrol post at about four o'clock in the afternoon. There had not been any problems on the road that day, so there was no reason to expect an attack.
At about five in the evening, the truck approached a motorcyclist who had been stopped by a group of about 15 men. Two people were killed when the truck was ambushed.As the truck driver stopped the vehicle, the group suddenly turned their attention to the truck and starting shooting without warning. A second group of men came from the right side of the road and fired shots as well.
The rangers were caught completely by surprise and were heavily outnumbered, but were able to return fire before escaping. An 18-year-old woman was killed on the spot, and the wife of a ranger managed to run away into the bush before dying as a result of her injuries.
One of the WWF staff was hit by a bullet in the foot, another ranger's wife was wounded by three bullets, and a ranger was hit in the arm. Two of the bullets penetrated the side of the truck. Others hid in the bush or under the truck itself, as the bandits stole everything on board, including phones, money, and GPS equipment. They even took the mattresses that the WWF staff had brought to sleep on in Lulimbi.
As the bandits escaped, the man on the motorcycle was able to drive to the nearest military base to inform the army, who came immediately to rescue the survivors and take the injured to the hospital. Local officials have been quoted by the press saying that the bandits were Mai-Mai, but we are not sure if it was them or the FDLR rebels, who also terrorise this area.
BBC NEWS REPORT.
Philippine farmer eats rare eagle !
By Steve Jackson -BBC News
The critically endangered Philippine eagle is a giant forest raptor. Prosecutors in the Philippines have been told to file charges against a farmer for killing and eating one of the world's rarest eagles. The man faces up to 12 years in jail if he is found guilty of shooting the Philippine eagle earlier this month.
The bird is among the largest and most powerful eagles on Earth but it is also critically endangered. Conservationists believe there are fewer than 250 adult birds left in the wild. The story of what happened to one juvenile eagle in the southern Philippines has received widespread attention.
The remains of the bird were found in a national park two weeks ago. The eagle had been rescued from captivity in 2006 and reintroduced into the wild in March this year with a tracking device.
When wildlife officials noticed that it had not moved for some time they began a search and found its skeleton and the transmitter under a tree.
A 22-year-old farmer, Brian Balaon, later came forward to say he had shot the eagle with an air gun and had eaten it with his friends. He said he did not know it was an endangered species.
But the Philippine environment secretary has called for the farmer to be punished severely to show that the authorities are serious about enforcing the wildlife protection laws.
If the farmer is found guilty he could be jailed for between six and twelve years.
BBC NEWS REPORT.
Back from the brink, Red Kites return !
By Mike McKimm - BBC NI environment correspondent.
Just a handful of journalists and photographers witnessed the historic return of the Red Kite to the north of Ireland. The RSPB released 27 chicks in what is the first ever species reintroduction to Northern Ireland, part of a pan-UK and Ireland reintroduction.
Set free in groups of four per day, most of the birds took their time to leave their cage. It gave waiting photographers time to grab the first ever pictures of these birds in their new habitat. But once in the air they soared, turning into the wind and disappearing into dense woodland.
Once commonplace in the countryside, these spectacular birds were driven to near extinction in the UK by hunting, poisoning and changes to their habitat.
But from this week, after an absence of 200 years, their distinctive five foot wingspan and rusty-red colouring can be seen in the skies over County Down.
The RSPB's Red Kite officer, Robert Straughan, is part of the team who planned the birds return.
The RSPB released 27 birds in County Down "The release has been the culmination of a huge amount of work over this past number of years in order to make this project a reality," he said. "I have been looking after the birds prior to their release with important help from Forest Service and they are healthy and doing well. "As they take their first flight in a new country the red kites should soon feel at home in the mixed woodland, farmland and rough grassland of south County Down, as it offers ideal habitat for the birds. "People will be able to easily identify red kites with their rusty-red colouring, forked tail, white patches under each wing and inky black wing tips, not to mention their five-and-a-half feet wingspan."
With just a small population in Britain, it has not been an easy task to gather sufficient chicks for the reintroduction. The young birds were carefully removed from nests where there was more than one chick, then hand-reared until big enough to be released and had shown the ability to fly and fend for themselves.
Each bird is tagged and carries a tiny radio beacon. This allows them to be followed and monitored to check on survival and watch how each copes with its environment. It will also show how the kites interact with each other. To help develop a sustainable population, more kite chicks were released into the countryside in County Wicklow in the Republic.
These birds will supplement the population re-introduced there in 2007. Across Scotland, England and Wales there are now more than 1,000 breeding pairs of Red Kites. It's an amazing turnaround from a few years ago when there were just a handful of native birds left in Wales. But there have been minor setbacks. A kite was recently shot dead in Wicklow and three were poisoned in Scotland.
There has been considerable secrecy about the exact location of the kites released in Northern Ireland. Despite their size and seemingly menacing hooked bills, the birds offer no threat to farming of local communities. "Kites are opportunistic scavengers, to conserve energy they feed mostly on worms and small dead animals, which they can see from a great height", Mr Straughan said. "They are a large bird, but are not designed to feed on mobile prey, so are not a threat to livestock, game birds or songbirds."
Pigeon fanciers will also be relieved to know that the kites don't take other birds in flight. Down, Newry & Mourne and Banbridge councils chipped in along with other organisations to make the reintroduction possible. "Not only is this an exciting and important conservation project, but it could also provide a tremendous tourist boost to the local economy in the Mourne area", explained Mr Straughan. "It is our belief that the Northern Ireland Red Kite Reintroduction Project will provide a similar outcome for conservation and for the benefit of local people."
People are encouraged to report any sighting of the birds to the RSPB either by emailing the information to redkiteni@rspb.org.uk or by telephoning 028 90 491547.
BBC NEWS REPORT.
Dog rescues woman from kangaroo !
Kangaroos can stand more than 6ft tall (1.8m) and weigh 100kg (220lbs),
An Australian woman has been saved by a pet dog which leapt to her aid after she was attacked by a large kangaroo, her son has said.
The marsupial assaulted Rosemary Neal, 65, at her farm near Mudgee in New South Wales, 265km (160 miles) north-west of Sydney, her son, Darren, said.
"The kangaroo just jumped up and launched straight at her," he said. "My dog heard her screaming and bolted down and chased him off. If it wasn't for the dog, she'd probably be dead."
Mrs Neal was taken to hospital with concussion and cuts to her face, hands and back, her son said. He added that the area had been overrun by kangaroos in recent years.
Kangaroos are widespread across Australia. Most species are not considered aggressive toward humans.
BBC NEWS REPORT.
Farm ban for sheep sex arrest man !
A man arrested for allegedly having sex with sheep has been banned from visiting farmland. The 27-year-old was arrested on suspicion of bestiality by officers at his home in Dulwich, south-east London, on Thursday morning.
It followed several complaints about a man molesting sheep in Botany Bay Lane, Chislehurst, in May and June. He was bailed on the condition that he does not enter farmyards within the Metropolitan Police area.
The arrest was made when witnesses reported a man sexually assaulting sheep before running off, often leaving clothing at the scene. It is understood the man was traced after forensic scientists identified DNA recovered from a pair of jogging bottoms found at the scene.
Two sheep were found dead in the field during the period of the attacks but it is not known if their deaths were linked. Police are also investigating reports that the suspect took photographs of the animals before the attacks.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the man was also held on suspicion of drugs possession with intent to supply.
The crime of bestiality carries a maximum prison sentence of two years.
BBC NEWS REPORT.
'Survival zones' for butterflies !
Ten "survival zones" are key to saving rare butterfly species from becoming extinct, according to Butterfly Conservation Scotland (BCS). The areas identified include Highland Perthshire, Lochaber, North Argyll, Solway and Upper Deeside.
BCS has previously warned that climate change threatens some species. It said Scotland had become a refuge for butterflies in decline in England and careful management of the zones could safeguard their future. BCS director, Paul Kirkland, said changes to farming and forestry practices have affected habitats.
He said: "Butterfly Conservation Scotland has identified these 10 Butterfly Survival Zones where we will be focusing our new conservation strategy to re-connect isolated colonies to secure their future.
SURVIVAL ZONES
North Argyll - especially around Loch Creran - pearl-bordered fritillary, chequered skipper and marsh fritillary
Lorne and Knapdale - marsh fritillary and pearl-bordered fritillary
Lochaber - especially Loch Arkaig to Roy Bridge - chequered skipper, pearl-bordered fritillary and marsh fritillary
Upper Deeside - pearl-bordered fritillary
Badenoch and Strathspey - pearl-bordered fritillary
Highland Perthshire - including Rannoch and Breadalbane - pearl-bordered fritillary
Solway - especially Mabie Forest - pearl-bordered fritillary
Mull - marsh fritillary
Islay - marsh fritillary
Moray Firth - especially Culbin - pearl-bordered fritillary
"Although butterflies are small insects, we need to think big to save them. "Our new focus works with landowners in these key areas to restore habitats, allowing butterflies to spread over a wider area."
The organisation hopes to encourage landowners to use European and government grants to improve and restore habitats. Projects include introducing managed grazing by livestock of woodlands to create suitable areas for pearl-bordered fritillary and chequered skipper, and restoring grazing on abandoned farmland for the marsh fritillary.
Mr Kirkland said: "Scotland's butterflies have been preserved by landowners, crofters and foresters who have chosen to continue to manage their land in traditional ways, especially in the north and west.
"We do not want to follow England's example of abandoning these practices which has led to these species disappearing." The "survival zones" announcement comes as parent body, Butterfly Conservation, celebrates its 40th birthday.
It is the world's biggest organisation concerned with Lepidoptera - the name for the order of insects that include butterflies and moths.
Other bodies involved in the new strategy include Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, Scottish Agricultural College and Local Biodiversity Action Plan officers.
BBC NEWS REPORT.
Koala bearing up after car ordeal !
Lucky Grills' escape has been described as "miraculous". A koala has survived being hit by a car and then dragged for several miles with its head stuck in the vehicle's front grill, officials in Australia say. They say the male koala was found with his bottom sticking out of the grill of a woman's car near Brisbane. The animal was taken to a wildlife hospital in Queensland where tests showed it was not badly hurt.
The lucky creature - believed to be several years old - was nicknamed Lucky Grills after his ordeal. The driver said she had noticed a koala on the road but drove on when she failed to see anything in her rear view mirror.
The trapped animal was only spotted when the driver pulled up at a railway station on the outskirts of Brisbane. "Somehow the force of the impact propelled him through the grill. That sort of wedged him there. That is why he didn't come adrift. The rest of his body was dangling," spokeswoman Carolyn Beaton of the Australian Wildlife Hospital told the AFP news agency.
She added that "an examination showed that he was in good health and had no serious injuries".
BBC NEWS REPORT.
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